What's the difference between ADHD and Asperger's?

Help for Families

November 03, 2009|By Kathy Lauer-Williams Of The Morning Call

Q: I have two nephews that are 7 and 9 years old. Recently, one of them was diagnosed with ADHD and the other with Asperger's syndrome. It seems to me like many of their behaviors are the same. I am confused about the differences between these two disorders and what I should do to best help my nephews.

A: Both disorders have behaviors that look the same but it is what triggers the behavior that's different, says the Help for Parents panel.

"With ADHD, people tend to think of hyperactivity and impulsivity, and you see that in Asperger's syndrome," says panelist Emily Leayman.

"Kids on the autism spectrum have more challenges reading social cues, and that plays out in their interaction with other kids. Kids with ADHD know how to do that, but their impulsivity interferes. So the main difference is a child with ADHD has the social skills but needs to slow down, while the child with Asperger's syndrome doesn't have the social skills."

There is a broad range of behavior within both diagnoses, says panelist Rochelle Freedman. She cautions against putting labels on your nephews.

"It's not always helpful stereotyping children," Freedman says.

But she admits it can be scary having a child that gets a diagnosis of an autism-spectrum disorder such as Asperger's syndrome.

"A lot of people think of the "Rain Man' when they hear autism, but that's a very specific category," says panelist Bill Vogler.

"Most children with Asperger's syndrome can relate to other people as much as any child," adds Marcie Lightwood.

Children with Asperger's syndrome do not have as significant social delays as other children with autism-spectrum disorders, Leayman says. It's more subtle.

"They can can participate in groups but have trouble with certain nuances, social norms and reading body language," Leayman says.

"But in a lot of social interaction many can seem very much like everyone else. There are a lot of adults who probably have Asperger's syndrome and they're in professions that don't require a lot of social interaction."

Try to just appreciate your time spent with your nephews, Lightwood says.

"You may not get back from the children what you expect, but you can build something that is meaningful," Lightwood says. "You can support them by accepting them and enjoying them."

If you educate yourself on their diagnoses you can help them with the skills they need, the panelists say.

"You can role-play with them or practice skills," Leayman says.

Focus on their individual differences, says Leayman.

"What are their strengths? What are they good at?" Leayman says. "You're not there to do interventions. Spend time involving the child in his interests. It's helpful for the child to have a venue where he can talk freely."

As they get older, both boys will learn coping mechanisms and be able to manage their behavior better, Freedman says.

"Through intervention, learning and getting older they will find their niches," Leayman says. "Right now focus on building their strengths and finding their areas of comfort."